How to Clean a BiPAP Machine

Like any piece of medical equipment, a BiPAP machine works best when it’s cleaned and maintained regularly. Over time, dust, moisture, facial oils, and other debris can build up in the mask, tubing, humidifier chamber, and filters. Cleaning your equipment on a regular schedule can help your machine perform properly, improve comfort, and reduce the buildup of bacteria and irritants.

Below, we’ll walk you through the steps for cleaning your BiPAP machine, mask, and tubing. You’ll also learn how to keep your BiPAP equipment clean while you’re traveling, as well as signs that your equipment is damaged and should be replaced.

How Often Should I Clean My BiPAP Machine?

Cleaning your BiPAP equipment regularly is easiest when you follow a weekly routine. The best tactic is to follow the cleaning schedule provided by your equipment’s manufacturer, but there are also generally accepted guidelines for keeping your BiPAP supplies hygienic.

BiPAP Component	Cleaning Frequency
BiPAP machine	Wipe weekly
Humidifier tank	Empty, rinse, and refill daily; clean weekly
Silicone cushion or pillows	Rinse daily, clean weekly
Memory foam cushion	Wipe daily
Hose connector, elbow, or swivel	Rinse daily, clean weekly
Tubing	Rinse daily, clean weekly
Mask frame	Weekly
Headgear	Weekly
Chin strap	Weekly
Reusable filter	Weekly

Even if you follow these guidelines, you may want to clean your equipment more frequently when you’re sick, or if there's visible dirt or debris. If you have allergies, your doctor can help you decide on a cleaning schedule that works for your needs.

What You'll Need

• A large tub, bucket, or sink with a stopper
• Mild, fragrance-free soap without moisturizing ingredients
• Warm, drinking-quality water
• A small, soft brush, such as a toothbrush
• A soft, clean, lint-free towel
• A clean washcloth (when wiping your BiPAP machine)
• White vinegar (when cleaning your humidifier tank)
• CPAP wipes (optional)
• Long, thin brush for tubing (optional)

Prepare to Clean

The first step in the cleaning process is to familiarize yourself with the instructions provided by your equipment’s manufacturers. While many BiPAP components can be cleaned in the same way, following the manufacturer’s instructions will keep your equipment in good condition and help you avoid voiding your warranty.

1. Unplug your BiPAP machine or remove the battery according to the manufacturer’s directions and move your equipment away from the power source.
2. Remove the humidifier tank, pour out any water, and set it to one side. 
3. When cleaning the reusable filter, remove it from your BiPAP machine. 
4. Disconnect the tubing from both your BiPAP machine and your mask. 
5. Remove the cushion or pillows from your mask. 
6. Remove the hose connector or swivel from your mask. 
7. When cleaning your entire mask, disassemble it completely according to the manufacturer’s directions.

How to Clean Your BiPAP Machine

You can think of your BiPAP machine as including the machine itself, the humidifier tank, and the reusable filter. The humidifier tank should be rinsed out after every use, and the entire machine can be cleaned weekly by following these steps.

1. Use a lightly damp washcloth to wipe down the shell of your BiPAP machine, then dry it with a clean towel. Using too much water, or any other cleaning products like an ozone or UV cleaner, can damage your machine’s electronic components. You do not have to clean the inside of your BiPAP machine. 
2. Combine one part white vinegar with three parts warm water, then pour this solution into the humidifier tank and let soak for up to an hour. If there's visible build-up, you can gently scrub at this with a soft brush.
3. Submerge the reusable filter in warm, soapy water and gently agitate the filter with your hands. 
4. Thoroughly rinse both the humidifier tank and the reusable filter with clean water, then leave both to dry on a clean towel out of direct sunlight.

How to Clean Your BiPAP Mask

Wearing and breathing through your BiPAP mask every night can cause a build-up of skin oils, bacteria, and debris. This is why it’s important to clean your cushion or pillows daily, rinse your swivel or hose connector after every use, and clean your entire mask at least once a week. 

As with all BiPAP equipment, you should double-check the manufacturer’s cleaning directions before following these steps. Memory foam mask cushions, for example, cannot be submerged and should be cleaned by wiping them down with CPAP wipes to avoid degradation. 

1. Most BiPAP mask components can be cleaned by submerging them in warm, soapy water and agitating them gently. 
2. You may want to use a soft brush to scrub areas, such as vents, that are prone to build-up. Fabric headgear can also benefit from gentle scrubbing. 
3. Rinse the mask components in clean, running water until there's no soap or residue left. 
4. Gently squeeze out excess water from any fabric pieces, then spread the components out to air-dry on a clean towel out of direct sunlight.

How to Clean Your BiPAP Tubing

Rinsing your BiPAP tubing daily and cleaning it weekly will help keep it hygienic and in good condition. How you clean your BiPAP tubing will depend on whether it's standard tubing or a heated hose. While you can use our advice to clean standard tubing, heated hoses and other specialty tubing can only be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 

1. Submerge the tubing in warm, soapy water until it's entirely full of water and no air pockets remain. If you wish to let your tubing soak for a short period, you can weigh it down with a clean plate. 
2. If you wish or your manufacturer recommends it, you can use a long, thin brush to clean build-up from inside the tubing. 
3. Rinse the outside of the tubing, then angle the opening of the tubing under a stream of running water so that the water runs through it. Continue rinsing until all residue is gone. 
4. Arrange the tubing in a single layer on a clean towel out of direct sunlight, or hang it up on a shower rail or coat hanger, then leave to dry completely before using.

When to Replace Parts Instead of Cleaning

While your BiPAP machine itself may last for many years, all other BiPAP supplies have a much shorter lifespan. Regular cleaning can help keep your equipment from breaking down prematurely, but you should still follow a replacement schedule and inspect your equipment during cleaning to make sure they're still in good condition. 

Signs that a BiPAP part or BiPAP mask component should be replaced include:

• Discoloration or visible marks that remain after cleaning
• Cracks, tears, or holes
• Unpleasant odor that remains after cleaning or returns very soon after cleaning
• Headgear loses stretchiness or becomes stretchier
• New air leaks or other problems 

There's no single replacement schedule that works for all BiPAP equipment, as equipment can vary significantly and parts from different manufacturers may have longer or shorter expected lifespans. In addition to following the manufacturer’s advice on replacement timing, you may also need to consider how often your insurance provider will reimburse you for replacement components. 

However, many BiPAP components follow a similar suggested replacement schedule.

BiPAP Component	Replacement Frequency
Tubing	Every 3 months
Humidifier tank	Every 6 months
Reusable filter	Every 6 months
Disposable filter	Every 1 month
Nasal cushions or pillows	Every 2 weeks
Full-face mask cushion	Every 1 month
Mask frame	Every 3 months
Mask headgear	Every 6 months
Chin strap	Every 6 months

How to Clean Your BiPAP While Traveling

While it’s important to keep your BiPAP clean when you’re on the road, being far from home can make the process more difficult. You can push back your cleaning routine by several days if necessary, but for longer trips you’ll want to make plans ahead of time for how to keep your BiPAP equipment clean. 

If you’re unable to clean your BiPAP machine properly, doing what you can — such as by rinsing or using CPAP mask wipes — is better than doing nothing. And unless your BiPAP machine becomes contaminated, you shouldn't stop using it without speaking to your doctor. 

Some ways to keep your BiPAP machine clean while traveling include:

• Looking into the availability of BiPAP supplies at your destination before you leave
• Bringing enough CPAP wipes to last your entire trip
• Using sealed bottled water to rinse or clean your BiPAP equipment, particularly if you've been warned not to drink the local water
• Packing travel-sized bottles of any cleaning products you use, such as vinegar or soap
• Using a translation app to find soap that's gentle enough for your BiPAP equipment
• Bringing extra supplies or your BiPAP prescription and paperwork in case you have to replace any equipment while traveling